Obituary: Berton W. Palmer Sr., 68

Palmer lived in Cranford for the last 45 years.

The following information was provided by Dooley Funeral Home. Berton W. Palmer Sr., 68, passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at R.W.Johnson Hospital in Rahway. Born in Linden, he lived the last 45 years in Cranford. A member of Amalgamated Lithographers Local #1 of New York, Mr. Palmer had been a printer with Lasky Press in Milburn and then with Barton Press in West Orange. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Mr. Palmer was a member of Azure Masada Lodge F&AM in Cranford, the Union Elks Club, and the American Legion Post 328 in Clark. Surviving are, his loving wife of 45 years, Eva (Meier) Palmer; 2 devoted sons, Berton W. Jr. and his wife Cindy, and Scott; 2 beloved grandsons, Timothy and Sean; 3 brothers, Thomas, James, and Paul; 2 sisters, …

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Obituary: John M. Ferrador, 73

The former Cranford resident passed away on May 4.

  John M. Ferrador, 73, of Howell Township passed away Saturday, May 4, 2013 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township.  He was born in Elizabeth and lived most of his life in Cranford.  John had also lived in Hazlet before moving to Howell Township in 2000.   He was an Electronics Technician for over 20 years.  During his career, he had been employed by a number of companies including Audio Visual Labs in Atlantic Highlands and EWC Controls in Englishtown.  He retired in 2001.  John, who enjoyed sailing with his family, was a former member of the Hazlet Township Zoning Board of Adjustment, a former Weeblo Leader for Cub Scout Pack 137 in Hazlet, and a communicant of the Church of St. Veronica.  He was a US Air Force Veteran …

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Cranford Teen Remembered For His Smile and 'Endless Courage'

Nearly three years after being diagnosed, Michael Wielgus II lost his battle to cancer. His funeral is set for later this week at St. Michael's Church.

A hero. An inspiration. A fighter. There have been many words used to describe Michael "Wiggy" Wielgus, and as friends and family members mourn the loss of the 16-year-old Cranford High School student, they are adding another description: guardian angel. Michael's battle with cancer ended on March 28, when he died peacefully surrounded by his family, according to his memorial page on the Mastapeter Funeral Home website. The obituary describes Michael as "a straight A sophomore at Cranford High School. He was a member of the Cranford Varsity soccer team and a Latin scholar. Michael (also known as Wiggy to his friends and MJ to some family members) played for the US Parma Soccer Club since 2009. He was the team captain for the Cavalieri team…

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Shizue Shimbo Davis, 53, Engineer, Supporter of Youth Music

Davis resided in Cranford since 1989, where she raised her son (Harrison, 23) and daughter (Olivia, 16).

James A. Graff, a "Renaissance Man", Musician and Artist, 28

Services are planned for Saturday morning at the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford.

Will never understand why god takes away such beautiful people from this earth to soon... rip jim graff <3 #rip James Graff, a 2003 graduate of Cranford High School was an artist, musician, and overall "renaissance man" according to an obituary posted on Tributes.com According to information posted on the site a service is planned for 10:30a.m., tomorrow, at First Presbyterian Church of Cranford.  Here is the rest of the obituary.   James A. Graff, 28 passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital @ Rahway. Jim was a graduate of Cranford High School and attended the Art Institute of Boston @ Leslie University. Jim was a talented artist and cartoonist. He created original illustrations for books and wrote lyrics for…

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Myron Cymbaluk, WWII Vet and Retired Cranford Policeman, 94

A memorial service will be held on Saturday Jan. 26th 10:30a.m. at the Cranford Methodist Church followed by a reception at the VFW Hall.

It is with deep regret that we report the death of one of our retired police officers. Myron Cymbaluk, 94, of Cranford died peacefully at home on January 19, 2013 with his family by his side. Although born in Bayonne, Mr. Cymbaluk considered himself a lifelong resident of Cranford and lived on the same block in that town for almost all of his 94 years. He served in the army during World War II and was stationed in the South Pacific where he attained the rank of sergeant; he proudly served as a police officer in Cranford for 30 years, retiring as a lieutenant in 1980. Mr. Cymbaluk was a member of the VFW Post 335 of Cranford, and a Member of PBA Local 52 of Cranford. He was an accomplished gardener and an avid fisherman. Mr. Cymbaluk is …

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Westfield Teen Who Died From the Flu Honored at Sunday Vigil (VIDEO)

Hollaway was liked by all who knew him, friends recalled.

Family, friends, and classmates shared their sorrow, grief and fond memories at a candlelight vigil held Sunday night in honor of Mark Hollaway, 14, who died Wednesday, Jan. 16 from the flu. The Westfield High School freshman was remembered as quiet and a bit shy but with a ready smile and a generous spirit. His godmother, Yolanda Davis, said the support of those who came out to pay tribute to the boy she described as like her own son was a "blessing." Lanre Badmus, who organized the vigil as well as a Facebook page RIP Mark Hollaway as a tribute to the friend he was still just getting to know, described Hollaway as "one of those rare kids who made a good impression on everyone."  "He was his mother's only child," Badmus said through tears…

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First Responders Thanked for Aiding Man Who Died After Race Collapse

Funeral arrangements made for 76-year-old runner Patrick Brady of Woolwich.

The Cranford-based Central Jersey Road Runners Club thanked the Westfield Police Department and the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad for their "quick response" in coming to the aid of Patrick Brady, 76, of Woolwich, who collapsed and died at the annual New Year's Day Hangover 5K held in Tamaques Park. "We would like to thank the members of the Westfield Police Department who were at the race site for the entire event and the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad for their quick response to this most tragic situation," the club posted on its website. "We also want to thank the countless number of volunteers and bystanders whose names we will never know who also took steps right away to assist our friend Pat." Brady, a longstanding member of the …

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Local And State Officials Issue Statements On Death Of Former UC Assemblywoman

Summit resident Betty Cox, who served in the NJ Assembly in the 1970s and represented Union County, has died.

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick, R-Union, Morris and Somerset, issued a joint statement today regarding the death of former Assemblywoman Elizabeth "Betty" Cox, 85. The former legislator represented Union County: “Although Betty’s tenure as a legislator was brief, she served the people of New Jersey and her constituents in Union County with distinction and honor. Her service to our state and, in particular to Union County, is appreciated and will not be forgotten. On behalf of the Assembly Republican caucus, I wish to offer our sincerest condolences to Betty’s family and friends.” Cox served in the Assembly from November of 1971 to December of 1972. She also worked for the NJ Department of Community Affairs from 1991 to 2002 and …

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